N-aryl azaspiroalkene and azaspiroalkane compounds and methods of preparation and use thereof

ABSTRACT

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are N-aryl or heteroaryl azaspiroalkene/alkane compounds, prodrugs or metabolites of these compounds, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The aryl group can be a phenyl ring or a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring (heteroaryl). The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of conditions or disorders, particularly those disorders characterized by dysfunction of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission, including disorders involving neuromodulation of neurotransmitter release, such as dopamine release. CNS disorders, which are characterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release, are another example of disorders that can be treated and/or prevented. The compounds and compositions can also be used to alleviate pain. The compounds can: (i) alter the number of nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the brain of the patient, (ii) exhibit neuroprotective effects and (iii) when employed in effective amounts, not result in appreciable adverse side effects (e.g., side effects such as significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate, significant negative effects upon the gastro-intestinal tract, and significant effects upon skeletal muscle).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/611,535, filed Sep. 20, 2004, the contents of which are fullyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositionsincorporating compounds capable of affecting nicotinic cholinergicreceptors, for example, as modulators of specific nicotinic receptorsubtypes. The present invention also relates to methods for treating awide variety of conditions and disorders, particularly those associatedwith dysfunction of the central and autonomic nervous systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nicotine exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects (Pullan et al.,N. Engl. J. Med. 330:811-815 (1994)), some of which are due toneurotransmitter release (See, for example, Sjak-shie et al., Brain Res.624:295 (1993), where neuroprotective effects of nicotine are proposed).For example, acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin andglutamate are released by neurons upon administration of nicotine(Rowell et al., J. Neurochem. 43:1593 (1984); Rapier et al., J.Neurochem. 50:1123 (1988); Sandor et al., Brain Res. 567:313 (1991) andVizi, Br. J. Pharmacol. 47:765 (1973), (Hall et al., Biochem. Pharmacol.21:1829 (1972), (Hery et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther. 296:91(1977)), and Toth et al., Neurochem Res. 17:265 (1992)). Confirmatoryreports and additional recent studies show that nicotine administrationmodulates glutamate, nitric oxide, GABA, takykinins, cytokines andpeptides in the central nervous system (CNS) (reviewed in Brioni et al.,Adv. Pharmacol. 37:153 (1997)). Nicotine also reportedly potentiates thepharmacological behavior of certain pharmaceutical compositions used totreat certain disorders. See, for example, Sanberg et al., Pharmacol.Biochem. & Behavior 46:303 (1993); Harsing et al., J. Neurochem. 59:48(1993) and Hughes, Proceedings from Intl. Symp. Nic. S40 (1994). Variousadditional beneficial pharmacological effects of nicotine have beenproposed. See, for example, Decina et al., Biol. Psychiatry 28:502(1990); Wagner et al., Pharmacopsychiatry 21:301 (1988); Pomerleau etal., Addictive Behaviors 9:265 (1984); Onaivi et al., Life Sci.54(3):193 (1994); Tripathi et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 221:91(1982)and Hamon, Trends in Pharmacol. Res. 15:36 (1994).

In addition to nicotine itself, a variety of nicotinic compounds arepurportedly useful for treating a wide variety of conditions anddisorders. See, for example, Williams et al., Drug News Perspec.7(4):205 (1994); Arneric et al., CNS Drug Rev. 1(1):1 (1995); Arneric etal., Exp. Opin. Invest. Drugs 5(1):79 (1996); Bencherif et al., J.Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 279:1413 (1996); Lippiello et al., J. Pharmacol.Exp. Ther. 279:1422 (1996); Damaj et al., Neuroscience (1997) J.Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 291:390 (1999); Chiari et al., Anesthesiology91:1447 (1999); Lavand'homme and Eisenbach, Anesthesiology 91:1455(1999); Holladay et al., J. Med. ChemChem. 40(28):4169 (1997); Bannon etal., Science 279: 77 (1998); PCT WO 94/08992, PCT WO 96/31475, PCT WO96/40682, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,140 to Bencherif et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,597,919 to Dull et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 5,852,041 to Cosford et al.

Nicotine and various nicotinic compounds are reportedly useful fortreating a wide variety of CNS disorders. See, for example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,1871,166 to Kikuchi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,601 to Cignarella,PCT WO 99/21834 and PCT WO 97/40049, UK Patent Application GB 2295387and European Patent Application 297,858. CNS disorders are a type ofneurological disorder. They can be drug-induced; attributed to geneticpredisposition, infection or trauma; or of unknown etiology. CNSdisorders include neuropsychiatric disorders, neurological diseases andmental illnesses, and include neurodegenerative diseases, behavioraldisorders, cognitive disorders and cognitive affective disorders. Thereare several CNS disorders whose clinical manifestations have beenattributed to CNS dysfunction (i.e., disorders resulting frominappropriate levels of neurotransmitter release, inappropriateproperties of neurotransmitter receptors, and/or inappropriateinteraction between neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter receptors).Several CNS disorders can be attributed to a deficiency of choline,dopamine, norepinephrine and/or serotonin.

Relatively common CNS disorders include pre-senile dementia (early-onsetAlzheimer's disease), senile dementia (dementia of the Alzheimer'stype), micro-infarct dementia, AIDS-related dementia, Creutzfeld-Jakobdisease, Pick's disease, Parkinsonism including Parkinson's disease,progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesia,hyperkinesia, mania, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, dyslexia,schizophrenia, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders and Tourette'ssyndrome.

Pain can be classified in various ways and can be characterized by avariety of geneses and etiologies (e.g., inflammatory pain, neuropathicpain, chronic pain). Current pain therapy is dominated by two classes ofdrugs, the non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and theopioids, both of which have significant therapeutic liabilities. Variouscompounds which target nAChRs have been shown to be effective intreating one or more kinds of pain in animal models. See for instance,Damaj et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 291:390 (1999); Damaj et al.,Neuropharmacology 39:2785-2791 (2000); Chiari et al., Anesthesiology91:1447 (1999); Lavand'homme and Eisenbach, Anesthesiology 91:1455(1999); Holladay et al., J. Med. Chem. 40(28):4169 (1997); Bannon etal., Science 279: 77 (1998); and Bannon et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther.285:787-794 (1998). It would be beneficial to provide pain reliefwithout the gastrointestinal liabilities of the NSAIDs or the abusepotential of the opioids.

A limitation of some nicotinic compounds is that they are associatedwith various undesirable side effects, for example, by stimulatingmuscle and ganglionic receptors. It would be desirable to havecompounds, compositions and methods for treating pain and preventingand/or treating various conditions or disorders (e.g., CNS disorders),including alleviating the symptoms of these disorders, where thecompounds exhibitnicotinic pharmacology with a beneficial effect (e.g.,upon the functioning of the CNS), but without significant associatedside effects. It would further be highly desirable to provide compounds,compositions and methods that effect CNS function without significantlyeffecting those receptor subtypes which have the potential to induceundesirable side effects (e.g., appreciable activity at cardiovascularand skeletal muscle sites). The present invention provides suchcompounds, compositions and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, andmethods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds areN-aryl azaspiroalkene and azaspiroalkane compounds, prodrugs ormetabolites of these compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof. The aryl group can be a five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring(heteroaryl). Examples of the N-aryl azaspiroalkene/alkane compoundsinclude 1-aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene, andN-methyl-1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene, andpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent awide variety of conditions or disorders, particularly those disorderscharacterized by dysfunction of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission,including disorders involving neuromodulation of neurotransmitterrelease, such as dopamine release. CNS disorders, which arecharacterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release, areanother example of disorders that can be treated and/or prevented. Thecompounds and compositions can also be used to alleviate pain. Themethods involve administering to a subject an effective amount of anN-aryl azaspiroalkene/alkane compound or prodrug or metabolite thereofto alleviate the particular disorder.

The pharmaceutical compositions include an effective amount of thecompounds described herein. When employed in effective amounts, thecompounds can interact with relevant nicotinic receptor sites of asubject and act as a therapeutic agent to prevent and/or treat a widevariety of conditions and disorders, particularly those disorderscharacterized by an alteration in normal neurotransmitter release. Thepharmaceutical compositions provide therapeutic benefit to individualssuffering from such disorders and exhibiting clinical manifestations ofsuch disorders. When employed in effective amounts, the compounds havethe potential to: (i) exhibit nicotinic pharmacology and affect relevantnicotinic receptors sites (e.g., bind to nicotinic acetylcholinereceptors and modulate their function), and/or (ii) modulateneurotransmitter secretion and thus prevent and suppress the symptomsassociated with those diseases. In addition, the compounds can: (i)alter the number of nicotinic cholinergic receptors of the brain of thepatient, (ii) exhibit neuroprotective effects and (iii) when employed ineffective amounts, not result in appreciable adverse side effects (e.g.,side effects such as significant increases in blood pressure and heartrate, significant negative effects upon the gastro-intestinal tract, andsignificant effects upon skeletal muscle). The pharmaceuticalcompositions are believed to be safe and effective with regards toprevention and treatment of a wide variety of conditions and disorders.In one embodiment, the compositions are used to treat drug addictionand/or obesity.

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are explainedin detail in the detailed description and examples set forth below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, andmethods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed.

The following definitions will be useful in understanding the metes andbounds of the invention as described herein.

As used herein, “alkyl” refers to straight chain or branched alkylradicals including C₁-C₈, preferably C₁-C₅, such as methyl, ethyl, orisopropyl; “substituted alkyl” refers to alkyl radicals further bearingone or more substituent groups such as hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy,mercapto, aryl, heterocyclo, halo, amino, carboxyl, carbamyl, cyano, andthe like; “alkenyl” refers to straight chain or branched hydrocarbonradicals including C₁-C₈, preferably C₁-C₅ and having at least onecarbon-carbon double bond; “substituted alkenyl” refers to alkenylradicals further bearing one or more substituent groups as definedabove; “cycloalkyl” refers to saturated or unsaturated, non-aromatic,cyclic ring-containing radicals containing three to eight carbon atoms,preferably three to six carbon atoms; “substituted cycloalkyl” refers tocycloalkyl radicals further bearing one or more substituent groups asdefined above; “aryl” refers to aromatic radicals having six to tencarbon atoms; “substituted aryl” refers to aryl radicals further bearingone or more substituent groups as defined above; “alkylaryl” refers toalkyl-substituted aryl radicals; “substituted alkylaryl” refers toalkylaryl radicals further bearing one or more substituent groups asdefined above; “arylalkyl” refers to aryl-substituted alkyl radicals;“substituted arylalkyl” refers to arylalkyl radicals further bearing oneor more substituent groups as defined above; “heterocyclyl” refers tosaturated or unsaturated cyclic radicals containing one or moreheteroatoms (e.g., O, N, S) as part of the ring structure and having twoto seven carbon atoms in the ring; “substituted heterocyclyl” refers toheterocyclyl radicals further bearing one or more substituent groups asdefined above.

As used herein, an “agonist” is a substance that stimulates its bindingpartner, typically a receptor. Stimulation is defined in the context ofthe particular assay, or may be apparent in the literature from adiscussion herein that makes a comparison to a factor or substance thatis accepted as an “agonist” or an “antagonist” of the particular bindingpartner under substantially similar circumstances as appreciated bythose of skill in the art. Stimulation may be defined with respect to anincrease in a particular effect or function that is induced byinteraction of the agonist or partial agonist with a binding partner andcan include allosteric effects.

As used herein, an “antagonist” is a substance that inhibits its bindingpartner, typically a receptor. Inhibition is defined in the context ofthe particular assay, or may be apparent in the literature from adiscussion herein that makes a comparison to a factor or substance thatis accepted as an “agonist” or an “antagonist” of the particular bindingpartner under substantially similar circumstances as appreciated bythose of skill in the art. Inhibition may be defined with respect to adecrease in a particular effect or function that is induced byinteraction of the antagonist with a binding partner, and can includeallosteric effects.

As used herein, a “partial agonist” is a substance that provides a levelof stimulation to its binding partner that is intermediate between thatof a full or complete antagonist and an agonist defined by any acceptedstandard for agonist activity.

As used herein, a “partial antagonist” is a substance that provides alevel of inhibition to its binding partner that is intermediate betweenthat of a full or complete antagonist and an inactive ligand.

It will be recognized that stimulation, and hence, inhibition is definedintrinsically for any substance or category of substances to be definedas agonists, antagonists, or partial agonists. As used herein,“intrinsic activity”, or “efficacy,” relates to some measure ofbiological effectiveness of the binding partner complex. With regard toreceptor pharmacology, the context in which intrinsic activity orefficacy should be defined will depend on the context of the bindingpartner (e.g., receptor/ligand) complex and the consideration of anactivity relevant to a particular biological outcome. For example, insome circumstances, intrinsic activity may vary depending on theparticular second messenger system involved. See Hoyer, D. and Boddeke,H., Trends Pharmacol Sci. 14(7):270-5 (1993). Where such contextuallyspecific evaluations are relevant, and how they might be relevant in thecontext of the present invention, will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

The term “modulation” includes full and partial activation andinhibition.

As used herein, neurotransmitters whose release is mediated by thecompounds described herein include, but are not limited to,acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and glutamate, andthe compounds described herein function as modulators at one or more ofthe Central Nervous System (CNS) nAChRs.

I. Compounds

The compounds are N-aryl or heteroaryl azaspiroalkene/alkane compounds,prodrugs or metabolites of these compounds, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof.

The compounds can bind to, and modulate nicotinic acetylcholinereceptors in the patient's brain in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus,basal ganglia, and spinal cord. When so bound, the compounds expressnicotinic pharmacology and, in particular, modulate the release ofvarious neurotransmitters including dopamine, other catecholamines suchas norepinephrine, such as serotonin, acetylcholine, GABA, glutamate,neuropeptides, nitric oxide, cytokines and other neurotransmitters andneuromediators. The compounds have a high affinity for the α₄β₂receptor.

Receptor binding constants provide a measure of the ability of thecompound to bind to half of the relevant receptor sites of certain braincells of the patient. See, for example, Cheng et al., Biochem.Pharmacol. 22:3099 (1973). The receptor binding constants of thecompounds described herein generally exceed about 0.1 nM, often exceedabout 1 nM, and frequently exceed about 10 nM, and are often less thanabout 100 μM, often less than about 10 μM and frequently less than about5 μM. Preferred compounds generally have receptor binding constanta lessthan about 2.5 μM, sometimes are less than about 1 μM, and can be lessthan about 100 nM.

The compounds described herein can demonstrate a nicotinic function byeffectively activating neurotransmitter secretion from nerve endingpreparations (i.e., synaptosomes). As such, these compounds can activaterelevant neurons to release or secrete acetylcholine, dopamine, andother neurotransmitters. Generally, typical compounds activate dopaminesecretion in amounts of at least one third, typically at least about 10times less, frequently at least about 100 times less, and sometimes atleast about 1,000 times less than those required for activation ofmuscle-type nicotinic receptors. Certain compounds elicit dopaminesecretion in an amount which is comparable to that elicited by an equalmolar amount of (S)-(−)-nicotine.

Preferably, the compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier, and thusenter the central nervous system of the patient. Log P values provide ameasure of the ability of a compound to pass across a diffusion barrier,such as a biological membrane, including the blood brain barrier. See,for example, Hansch et al., J. Med. Chem. 11:1 (1968). Typical log Pvalues for the compounds described herein are generally greater thanabout −0.5, often are greater than about 0, and frequently are greaterthan about 0.5, and are typically less than about 3, often are less thanabout 2, and frequently are less than about 1.

In one embodiment, the compounds have the structure represented byFormula 1 below:

In the formula, R is H or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, Cy is aryl or heteroaryl, thedashed line represents a carbon-carbon single or double bond, m=1, 2, 3or 4, n=0, 1, or 2, p=0, 1, 2, or 3, q=0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, and j=0, 1, 2,or 3 non-hydrogen substituents (Z), with the proviso that when m is 1, ncannot be 0. The values of m, n, p and 1 are selected such that theazaspiroalkene/alkane ring contains 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 members,preferably 7, 8, 9 or 10 members.

In one embodiment, the values of m, n, p and q are selected, and thedashed line is selected, such that the azaspiroalkene/alkane ring is anazaspiro[3,4]octene, an azaspiro[4,4]-nonene, or anazaspiro[4,5]-decene. In another embodiment, the values of m, n, p and qare selected, and the dashed line is selected, such that theazaspiroalkene/alkane ring is a azaspiro[2,3]hexane, anazaspiro[2,4]heptane, an azaspiro[3,4]octane, an azaspiro[4,4]-nonane,or an azaspiro[4,5]-decane.

Each individual Z represents a suitable non-hydrogen substituent species(e.g., alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, substituted aryl,alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl or substituted arylalkyl;but preferably lower alkyl or aryl).

In either formula, Cy represents a suitable five- or six-memberedheteroaromatic ring. In one embodiment, Cy is a six membered ring of theformula:

Each of X, X′, X″, X′″ and X″″ is individually nitrogen, nitrogen bondedto oxygen (e.g., an N-oxide or N—O functionality) or carbon bonded to asubstituent species. No more than three of X, X′, X″, X′″ and X″″ arenitrogen or nitrogen bonded to oxygen, and it is preferred that only oneor two of X, X′, X″, X′″ and X″″ be nitrogen or nitrogen bonded tooxygen. In addition, it is highly preferred that not more than one of X,X′, X″, X′″ and X″″ be nitrogen bonded to oxygen; and it is preferredthat if one of those species is nitrogen bonded to oxygen, that speciesis X′″. Most preferably, X′″ is nitrogen. In certain preferredcircumstances, both X′ and X′″ are nitrogen. Typically, X, X″ and X″″are carbon bonded to a substituent species, and it is typical that thesubstituent species at X, X″ and X″″ are hydrogen. In anotherembodiment, all of X, X′, X″, X′″ and X″″ are carbon bonded to asubstituent species (hydrogen or non-hydrogen). For certain otherpreferred compounds where X′″ is carbon bonded to a substituent speciessuch as hydrogen, X and X″ are both nitrogen. In certain other preferredcompounds where X′ is carbon bonded to a substituent species such ashydrogen, X and X′″ are both nitrogen.

In another embodiment, Cy is a five 5-membered heteroaromatic ring, suchas pyrrole, furan, thiophene, isoxazole, isothiazole, oxazole, thiazole,pyrazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole. Otherexamples of such rings are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,868 toOlesen et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. One way of depicting Cy is as follows:

where Y and Y″ are individually nitrogen, nitrogen bonded to asubstituent species, oxygen, sulfur or carbon bonded to a substituentspecies, and Y′ and Y′″ are nitrogen or carbon bonded to a substituentspecies. The dashed lines indicate that the bonds (between Y and Y′ andbetween Y′ and Y″) can be either single or double bonds. However, whenthe bond between Y and Y′ is a single bond, the bond between Y′ and Y″must be a double bond and vice versa. In cases in which Y or Y″ isoxygen or sulfur, only one of Y and Y″ is either oxygen or sulfur. Atleast one of Y, Y′, Y″ and Y′″ must be oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen ornitrogen bonded to a substituent species. It is preferred that no morethan three of Y, Y′, Y″ and Y′″ be oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or nitrogenbonded to a substituent species. It is further preferred that at leastone, but no more than three, of Y, Y′, Y″ and Y′″ be nitrogen.

Substituent species associated with any of X, X′, X″, X′″, X″″, Y, Y′,Y″ and Y′″ (when any is carbon bonded to a substituent species ornitrogen bonded to a substituent species), typically have a sigma mvalue between about −0.3 and about 0.75, frequently between about −0.25and about 0.6; and each sigma m value individually can be 0 or not equalto zero; as determined in accordance with Hansch et al., Chem. Rev.91:165 (1991).

Examples of suitable substituent species associated with any of X, X′,X″, X′″, X″″, Y, Y′, Y″ and Y′″ (when any is carbon bonded to asubstituent species or nitrogen bonded to a substituent species),include hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substitutedalkenyl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl,arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, halo (e.g., F, Cl, Br, or I), —OR′,—NR′R″, —CF₃, —CN, —NO₂, —C₂R′, —SR′, —N₃, —C(═O)NR′R″, —NR′C(═O)R″,—C(═O)R′, —C(═O)OR′, —OC(═O)R′, —O(CR′R″)_(r)C(═O)R′,—O(CR′R″)_(r)NR″C(═O)R′, —O(CR′R″)_(r)NR″SO₂R′, —OC(═O)NR′R″,—NR′C(═O)OR″, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, and —NR′SO₂R″, where R′ and R″ areindividually hydrogen, lower alkyl (e.g., straight chain or branchedalkyl including C₁-C₈, preferably C₁-C₅, such as methyl, ethyl, orisopropyl), cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or arylalkyl (such asbenzyl), and r is an integer from 1 to 6. R′ and R″ can combine to forma cyclic functionality. The term “substituted” as applied to alkyl,aryl, cycloalkyl and the like refers to the substituents describedabove, starting with halo and ending with —NR′SO₂R″.

Examples of suitable Cy groups include 3-pyridinyl (unsubstituted orsubstituted in the 5 and/or 6 position(s) with any of the aforementionedsubstituents), 5-pyrimidinyl (unsubstituted or substituted in the 2position with any of the aforementioned substituents), 4 and5-isoxazolyl, 4 and 5-isothiazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 5-thiazolyl,5-(1,2,4-oxadiazolyl), 2-(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl) or 3-(1,2,4-triazolyl).

Representative aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, furanyl, thienyl,pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, quinolinyl, and indolyl.Other representative aromatic ring systems are set forth in Gibson etal., J. Med. Chem. 39:4065 (1996). Any of these aromatic groupcontaining species can be substituted with at least one substituentgroup, such as those described above that are associated with x′ and thelike. Representative substitevely include alkyl, aryl, halo, hydroxy,alkoxy, aryloxy or amino substituents.

Adjacent substituents of X, X′, X″, X′″, X″″, Y, Y′, Y″ and Y′″ (whensubstituents are present) can combine to form one or more saturated orunsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic or heterocyclicrings containing, but not limited to, ether, acetal, ketal, amine,ketone, lactone, lactam, carbamate, or urea functionalities.

Representative compounds within the scope of Formula 1 include thefollowing:

The compounds can occur in stereoisomeric forms, including both singleenantiomers and racemic mixtures of such compounds, as well as mixturesof varying degrees of enantiomeric excess. Compounds of the presentinvention can, in some cases, occur as diastereomers, and each of thediasteromers is considered within the scope of the invention.

The compounds can be in a free base form or in a salt form (e.g., aspharmaceutically acceptable salts). Examples of suitablepharmaceutically acceptable salts include inorganic acid addition saltssuch as sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate; organic acid addition saltssuch as acetate, galactarate, propionate, succinate, lactate, glycolate,malate, tartrate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, methanesulfonate,p-toluenesulfonate, and ascorbate; salts with an acidic amino acid suchas aspartate and glutamate; alkali metal salts such as sodium andpotassium; alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium and calcium;ammonium salt; organic basic salts such as trimethylamine,triethylamine, pyridine, picoline, dicyclohexylamine, andN,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine; and salts with a basic amino acid such aslysine and arginine. The salts can be in some cases hydrates or ethanolsolvates. The stoichiometry of the salt will vary with the nature of thecomponents. Representative salts are provided as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,597,919 to Dull et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,716 to Dull et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 5,663,356 to Ruecroft et al., the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Representative compounds include the following:

-   1-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-phenoxy-3-pyiridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-pyrimidinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-isoxazolyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-isothiazolyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(2-pyrazinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(3-pyridazinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,-   1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-pyrimidinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-isoxazolyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-isothiazolyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(2-pyrazinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   1-(3-pyridazinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,-   2-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-isoxazolyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-isothiazolyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(2-pyrazinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   2-(3-pyridazinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-pyrimidinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-isoxazolyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-isothiazolyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   6-(3-pyridazinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,-   7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-cbloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-pyrimidinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isoxazolyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isothiazolyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(3-pyridazinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-pyrimidinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-isothiazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(2-pyrazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   7-(3-pyridazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,-   8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-pyrimidinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-isothiazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(2-pyrazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   8-(3-pyridazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-isoxazolyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-isothiazolyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,-   2-(2-pyrazinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane

and 2-(3-pyridazinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5 ]decane.

The following are also representative compounds of the presentinvention:

-   6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-pyrimidinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-isoxazolyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-isothiazolyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   6-(3-pyridazinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,-   7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-pyrimidinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-isoxazolyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-isothiazolyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(2-pyrazinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(3-pyridazinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,-   7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-pyrimidinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-isothiazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(2-pyrazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   7-(3-pyridazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,-   8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-pyrimidinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-isoxazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-isothiazolyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(2-pyrazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   8-(3-pyridazinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,-   2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-isoxazolyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-isothiazolyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(5-(1,2,4-oxadiazol)yl)-7-azaspiro[4.5 ]dec-1-ene,-   2-(2-(1,3,4-oxadiazol)yl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,-   2-(2-pyrazinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,

and 2-(3-pyridazinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene

II. Methods of Preparing the Compounds

The compounds of Formula 1 can be prepared using a general methodinvolving reacting an aryl or heteroaryl Grignard or organolithiumcompound with a carbonyl group in a pre-formed azaspiroalkanonecompound. The resulting intermediate includes a hydroxy group at aposition adjacent to the aryl/heteroaryl ring, and this hydroxy groupcan be eliminated to form a double bond (or, in the case of asymmetriccompounds, two different regioisomeric double bonds, which can beseparated via chromatography or other means). If the saturated compoundis desired, the double bond can be hydrogenated using known chemistry.

The azaspiroalkanone compounds can be prepared in a variety of methods.One such method is exemplified below in Scheme I, using1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-2,8-dione ethylene ketal (described by Wardrop andZhang, Org. Lett. 3(15): 2353-2356 (2001) and Kan et al., Org. Lett.6(16): 2729-2731 (2004)) as a starting material. The amide group can bereduced to an amine, for example, using lithium aluminum hydride. Theresulting amine group can be protected, for example, using ethylchloroformate, and the ketal can be hydrolyzed to give a ketonefunctionality. The ketone can be reacted with an aryl or heteroarylGrignard or organolithium compound, to form an intermediate including ahydroxy group on the same carbon as the aryl or heteroaryl ring. Thistertiary alcohol can then be dehydrated to form an alkene (for example,by reaction with an acid, such as concentrated formic acid). The aminecan then be deprotected. Scheme I is shown below:

Formation of Azaspiroalkanes

Azaspiroalkanes can be prepared from the corresponding azaspiroalkenesby simply reducing the double bond in the latter compound, for example,using hydrogen and a palladium catalyst. If desired, one can form anenantiomerically enriched compound by known conditions for catalytichydrogenation (see, for example, “Catalytic enantioselectivehydrogenation of alkenes,” Steven Feldgus and Clark R. Landis, Catalysisby Metal Complexes, 25:107-135 (2002), the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Modification of the Aryl/Heteroaryl Ring

Although a 3-lithiopyridine is added to the ketone (“oxo”) group in thechemistry described in Scheme I, other aryl and heteroaryl rings areknown to form Grignard and/or organolithium reagents, any of which canbe used in the above chemistry. Examples include phenylmagnesiumbromide, 5-lithiopyrimidine, and the like. These rings can be formed,for example, by appropriate reaction of a halogenated aryl or heteroarylring with magnesium, or by metal/halogen exchange with anotherorganolithium reagent, such as n-butyllithium. The aryl or heteroarylrings can be functionalized with virtually any substituent that does notinterfere with the formation of a Grignard or organolithium reagent.Examples include ethers, thioethers, protected hydroxy groups, protectedamine groups, protected thiols, ketals, acetals, amides, alkyl groups,alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups,heterocyclic groups, and the like.

Less reactive halogens can be present, in addition to a more reactivehalogen used to prepare the organolithium or Grignard reagent, where themore reactive halogen is used to form the Grignard/organolithiumreagent. After the coupling step, the remaining halogen can either beretained, or used to provide additional modification to the compound.

Where protected groups are used (i.e., for hydroxy, amine, thiol, ketoneand aldehyde groups), the groups can be deprotected after the couplingreaction is complete. As with the less reactive halogens describedabove, these groups can either be retained, or used to provideadditional modification to the compound.

A number of other analogs, bearing substituents in the 5 position of thepyridine ring, can be synthesized from the corresponding aminocompounds, vide supra, via a 5-diazonium salt intermediate. Examples ofother 5-substituted analogs that can be produced from 5-diazonium saltintermediates include, but are not limited to: 5-hydroxy, 5-alkoxy,5-fluoro, 5-chloro, 5-iodo, 5-cyano, and 5-mercapto. These compounds canbe synthesized using the general techniques set forth in Zwart et al.,supra. For example, 5-hydroxy substituents can be prepared from thereaction of the corresponding 5-diazonium salt intermediate with water.Likewise, 5-alkoxy substituents can be prepared by reacting thediazonium salt with alcohols. Appropriate 5-diazonium salts can be usedto synthesize cyano or halo compounds, as will be known to those skilledin the art. 5-Mercapto substitutions can be obtained using techniquesdescribed in Hoffman et al., J. Med. Chem. 36: 953 (1993). The5-mercaptan so generated can, in turn, be converted to a 5-alkylthiosubstitutuent by reaction with sodium hydride and an appropriate alkylbromide. Subsequent oxidation would then provide a sulfone. 5-Acylamidoanalogs of the aforementioned compounds can be prepared by reaction ofthe corresponding 5-amino compounds with an appropriate acid anhydrideor acid chloride using techniques known to those skilled in the art oforganic synthesis.

5-Hydroxy-substituted analogs of the aforementioned compounds can beused to prepare corresponding 5-alkanoyloxy-substituted compounds byreaction with the appropriate acid, acid chloride, or acid anhydride.Likewise, the 5-hydroxy compounds are precursors of both the 5-aryloxyand 5-heteroaryloxy via nucleophilic aromatic substitution at electrondeficient aromatic rings (e.g., 4-fluorobenzonitrile and2,4-dichloropyrimidine). Such chemistry is well known to those skilledin the art of organic synthesis. Ether derivatives can also be preparedfrom the 5-hydroxy compounds by alkylation with alkyl halides and asuitable base or via Mitsunobu chemistry, in which a trialkyl- ortriarylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate are typically used. SeeHughes, Org. React. (N.Y.) 42: 335 (1992) and Hughes, Org. Prep. Proced.Int. 28: 127 (1996) for typical Mitsunobu conditions.

Chemistries analogous to those described hereinbefore for thepreparation of 5-substituted pyridine analogs of azaspiro compounds canbe devised for the synthesis of analogs bearing substituents in the 2,4, and 6 positions of the pyridine ring. For example, a number of 2-,4-, and 6-aminopyridyl azaspiroalkanes can be converted to thecorresponding diazonium salt intermediates, which can be transformed toa variety of compounds with substituents at the 2, 4, and 6 positions ofthe pyridine ring as was described for the 5-substituted analogs above.The requisite 2-, 4-, and 6-aminopyridyl azaspiroalkanes are availablevia the Chichibabin reaction of unsubstituted pyridyl azaspiroalkaneswith sodium amide. Similar reactions are described in Chemistry ofHeterocyclic Compounds, Volume 14, part 3, pp. 3-5 (IntersciencePublishers, 1962) and by Lahti et al., J. Med. Chem. 42: 2227 (1999).

After the desired heteroaryl ring functional group manipulation has beenaccomplished, the optional protecting group can be removed from theazabicycle using appropriate conditions. Those skilled in the art oforganic chemistry will appreciate the necessity of pairing protectinggroups with the chemistries required to generate particularfunctionalities. In some cases it can be necessary, to retain aparticular functionality, to replace one protecting group with another.

One method for introducing functionality to the pyridine rings is tostart with a compound such as 3,5-dibromopyridine, and convert it to thecorresponding 5-alkoxy-3-bromo- and 5-aryloxy-3-bromopyridines by theaction of sodium alkoxides or sodium aryloxides. Procedures such asthose described by Comins et al., J. Org. Chem. 55: 69 (1990) and Hertoget al., Recueil Trav. Chim. Pays-Bas 74: 1171 (1955) are used. Reactionof 3,5-dibromopyridine with sodium 4-methoxyphenoxide inN,N-dimethylformamide gives 3-bromo-5-(4-methoxyphenoxy)pyridine. Thebromo group can be used to form an appropriate Grignard or organolithiumreagent, and used in the coupling chemistry described above.

Formation of Different Ring Systems

One can readily prepare azaspiro compounds with different sized rings bystarting with oxo-protected alkyl cycloalkane carboxylates with 3-7carbons in the cycloalkane ring. Also, one can prepare compounds thatinclude substitution at any position, provided the substituents eitherdo not interfere with the chemistry, or are protected until suchinterfering steps have already been performed.

Several methods can be used to form the azaspiro ring systems, where thering nitrogen is present at either the 1 or 2-position. For example,commercially available cyclopentane rings including a ketal group and ancarboalkoxy group are known, and others can be synthesized using knownmethods. Examples include ethyl 2-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate, ethyl3-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate, ethyl 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate, ethyl3-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate, and ethyl 4-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate, allof which are all commercailly available.

In the case of the 2-oxo starting materials, the ketone and ester groupsare positioned such that deprotonation and subsequent alkylation isrelatively simple, and the deprotonation occurs primarily in the desiredposition (at the carbon between the ketone and ester groups) so it canbe advantageous to alkylate (for example, with bromoacetonitrile) firstand then protect the ketone as a ketal for subsequent steps. Where theoxo group is present at other than the 2-position, deprotonation couldoccur alpha to the ketone or the ester group, so it is advantageous toprotect the oxo (ketone) group before the deprotonation/alkylation step.

The alkylation chemistry can be used to incorporate a sidechain thatincludes appropriate substitution to permit, in a series of subsequentsteps, the cyclization to form the azaspiro ring system. Once the ringsystem is formed, the ketal can be deprotected. The resulting ketone canbe reacted with an appropriate reagent to incorporate thearyl/heteroaryl ring. The arylation can be done either by a) an additionreaction involving an aryl or heteroaryl Grignard or organolithiumreagent and the ketone, followed by dehydration of the resulting hydroxygroup, or b) by enol triflate formation and subsequent Suzuki couplingof an aryl or heteroaryl ring to the enol triflate.

Representative reaction schemes for forming the azaspiro ring systemsfrom the cyclopentane rings including alkyl carboxylate andprotected-oxo groups are shown below.

In Scheme II, a cyclopentane ethyl ester with a suitably protected oxogroup at the 2-position is first deprotonated and alkylated, and the oxogroup is then protected (in one embodiment, as a ketal group). In SchemeIII, a cyclopentane ethyl ester with a suitably protected oxo group atthe 3-position is first protected, then the position alpha to the estergroup is deprotonated and alkylated.

Alkylation can be performed in one embodiment by using a strong basesuch as lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) and the aminomethyl equivalentcyanomethylbenzylamine, which provides a beta-lactam (this is amodification of the procedure reported by Overman, J. Am. Chem. Soc.107:1698 (1985) and Tet. Lett. 25:1635 (1985)). The resultingintermediate can subsequently be reduced with lithium aluminum hydrideto provide the N-benzyl-2-azaspiro[3,4]octane, containing a protectedketone functionality. Deprotection of the ketone, subsequent couplingwith the appropriate Grignard or organolithium reagent, and dehydrationof the resulting alcohol, will provide the desired aza-protectedazaspiroalkene compounds. Removal of the benzyl protecting group, byoxidative cleavage with, for example, ceric ammonium nitrate, willproduce the desired 2-azaspiro[3,4]octene. Reduction of the double bondwill form the desired azaspiroalkane.

The compounds of Formula 1 which possess the 2-azaspiro[4.4]nonanesystem can be prepared according to numerous methods. In one embodiment,an ethyl cyclopentanecarboxylate (which also includes a suitablyprotected ketone functionality) can be deprotonated with LDA and allowedto react by Michael addition to nitroethylene. Subsequent reduction ofthe nitro group using Raney nickel, followed by lactamization by methodsknown to those skilled in the art (for example, heating in a suitablesolvent with or without an acidic or basic catalyst), provides2-azaspiro[4.4]nonan-1-one, containing a protected ketone functionality.Protection of the amine (by, for instance, reaction with ethylchlorformate), deprotection of the ketone, coupling with the appropriateGrignard or organolithium reagent, dehydration of the resulting hydroxygroup, and deprotection of the amine will provide the desiredazaspiroalkene compounds. Reduction of the double bond will provide thedesired azaspiroalkane compounds.

Alternatively, the ethyl cyclopentanecarboxylate, containing theprotected ketone functionality, can be deprotonated with LDA and allowedto react with an alkylating agent such as bromo or chloroacetonitrile,then subjected to nitrile reduction and cyclization as reported byCulbertson et al., J. Med. Chem. 33:2270 (1990). Alternatively,following deprotonation, the deprotonated intermediate can be allowed toreact with an alkylating agent such as allyl bromide. The resultingolefin can then be oxidatively cleaved to an aldehyde, as reported byGenin et al., J. Org. Chem. 58:2334 (1993); Hinds et al., J. Med. Chem.34:1777 (1991); Kim et al., J. Org. Chem. 61:3138 (1996); EP 0 360 390and U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,912. The aldehyde can then be subjected toreductive amination with an ammonium salt or primary aliphatic oraromatic amine, according to methods known to those skilled in the art.Alternatively, the aldehyde can be reduced to the corresponding alcoholand the alcohol then transformed to an amine by conversion to a leavinggroup, followed by displacement with the appropriate amine. This canalso be achieved by displacing the leaving group with an azide ion andsubsequently reduction to the primary amine using methods known to thoseskilled in the art. The alcohol can also be converted to an amine usingMitsunobu conditions. The resulting intermediate can be cyclized to aspirolactam by methods known to those skilled in the art, such asheating in a suitable solvent with or without an acidic or basiccatalyst. Reduction of the lactam to the amine, protection of the amine,deprotection of the ketal, coupling with the appropriate Grignard ororganolithium reagent, and dehydration of the resulting alcohol, willprovide the desired azaspiroalkene compounds. Reduction of the doublebond will provide the desired azaspiroalkane compounds.

The compounds of Formula 1, which include a 2-azaspiro[4.5]decane core,can be prepared according to a modification of various teachings (Helv.Chim. Acta 60:1650 (1977); Smith et al., J. Med. Chem. 38(19):3772(1995); Elliott et al., Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 8:1851 (1998)). Thus, amono-protected 1,4-cyclohexanedione can be converted to the protected4-oxocyclohexylideneacetic acid ester via Wittig olefination. SubsequentMichael addition with the anion of nitromethane, followed by reductionof the nitro group with Raney nickel and spontaneous cyclization,provides the protected 2-azaspiro[4.5]decane-3,8-dione. Treatment ofthis with a reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, protectionof the resulting amine, and removal of the protecting group from theketone, provides the 2-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one with a carbonyl ready tocouple with the appropriate aryl or heteroaryl Grignard or organolithiumreagent. Following the coupling reaction, the resulting alcohol can bedehydrated to form the desired azaspiroalkene compounds. The double bondcan be hydrogenated to form the desired azaspiroalkane compounds.

Additional Ring Systems

Chemistry such as that described above can be applied to alkyloxocycloalkanecarboxylates of varying ring sizes. The deprotonationalpha to the ester group in the ring is not dependent on the ring size.The subsequent steps described above, resulting in cyclization to formthe spiro-fused ring, similarly do not depend on the size of the ringthat includes the ester group (rather, these steps are based onintramolecular cyclization to form the spiro-fused ring). Thedeprotection of the oxo group, and subsequent coupling step, similarlydoes not depend on the size of the ring. As the driving force forformation of the double bond alpha to the aryl/heteroaryl ring is theconjugation of the resulting double bond with the aryl/heteroaryl ring,the size of the ring containing the oxo group similarly does notsignificantly affect the chemistry. Finally, the hydrogenation of theresulting double bond is unaffected by the ring size. Accordingly, usingthe chemistry outlined above with respect to the cyclopentane rings, oneof skill in the art can readily apply this teaching to form the otherexemplified ring systems.

High Throughput Synthesis

The coupling reactions described in this application are amenable tohigh through-put synthetic techniques. Thus a library of compounds ofthe present invention can be produced by coupling, in a 96-well plateformat, for instance, various haloarenes with various azaspirocompounds.

Preparation of Single Enantiomer Compounds

Single enantiomer compounds can be prepared using various methods. Onemethod, well known to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis,involves resolution using diastereomeric salts. Compounds of the presentinvention contain basic nitrogen atoms and will react with acids to formcrystalline salts. Various acids, carboxylic and sulfonic, arecommercially available in enantiomerically pure form. Examples includetartaric, dibenzoyl- and di-p-toluoyltartaric, and camphorsulfonicacids. When any one of these or other single enantiomer acids is reactedwith a racemic amine base, diastereomeric salts result. Fractionalcrystallization of the salts, and subsequent regeneration of the bases,results in enantiomeric resolution thereof.

Selective synthesis of single enantiomers can also be accomplished bymethods known to those skilled in the art. Such methods will vary as thechemistry used for construction of the azaspiro rings varies.

Separation of Double Bond Regioisomers

Also, in some cases, the dehydration step will provide a mixture ofdouble bond-containing compounds, where the dehydration occurs betweenthe carbon including the hydroxy group and either of the two adjacentcarbons (where deprotonation occurs). These regioisomeric compounds canbe separated using chromatography or other known means, or, if desired,the double bonds can be hydrogenated to yield the same azaspiroalkanecompound.

III. Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compounds described herein can be incorporated into pharmaceuticalcompositions and used to prevent a condition or disorder in a subjectsusceptible to such a condition or disorder, and/or to treat a subjectsuffering from the condition or disorder. The pharmaceuticalcompositions described herein include one or more compounds of Formula1, prodrugs or metabolites thereof, and/or pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof. Optically active compounds can be employed as racemicmixtures or as pure enantiomers.

The manner in which the compounds are administered can vary. Thecompositions are preferably administered orally (e.g., in liquid formwithin a solvent such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or within asolid carrier). Preferred compositions for oral administration includepills, tablets, capsules, caplets, syrups, and solutions, including hardgelatin capsules and time-release capsules. Compositions may beformulated in unit dose form, or in multiple or subunit doses. Preferredcompositions are in liquid or semisolid form. Compositions including aliquid pharmaceutically inert carrier such as water or otherpharmaceutically compatible liquids or semisolids may be used. The useof such liquids and semisolids is well known to those of skill in theart.

The compositions can also be administered via infusion or injection(e.g., as a suspension or as an emulsion in a pharmaceuticallyacceptable liquid or mixture of liquids). Compositions can be injectedintraveneously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally,intraarterially, intrathecally; and intracerebroventricularly. Suitablecarriers for injection are well known to those of skill in the art, andinclude 5% dextrose solutions, saline, and phosphate buffered saline.

The formulations may also be administered using other means, forexample, rectal administration. Formulations useful for rectaladministration, such as suppositories, are well known to those of skillin the art. The compounds can also be administered by inhalation (e.g.,in the form of an aerosol either nasally or using delivery articles ofthe type set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,901 to Brooks et al., thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety); topically(e.g., in lotion form); or transdermally (e.g., using a transdermalpatch, using technology that is commercially available from Novartis andAlza Corporation). Although it is possible to administer the compoundsin the form of a bulk active chemical, it is preferred to present eachcompound in the form of a pharmaceutical composition or formulation forefficient and effective administration.

Exemplary methods for administering such compounds will be apparent tothe skilled artisan. The usefulness of these formulations may depend onthe particular composition used and the particular subject receiving thetreatment. These formulations may contain a liquid carrier that may beoily, aqueous, emulsified or contain certain solvents suitable to themode of administration.

The compositions can be administered intermittently or at a gradual,continuous, constant or controlled rate to a warm-blooded animal (e.g.,a mammal such as a mouse, rat, cat, rabbit, dog, pig, cow, or monkey),but advantageously are administered to a human being. In addition, thetime of day and the number of times per day that the pharmaceuticalformulation is administered can vary.

Preferably, upon administration, the active ingredients interact withreceptor sites within the body of the subject that affect thefunctioning of the CNS. More specifically, in treating a CNS disorder,preferable administration is designed to optimize the effect upon thoserelevant receptor subtypes that have an effect upon the functioning ofthe CNS, while minimizing the effects upon muscle-type receptorsubtypes. Other suitable methods for administering the compounds of thepresent invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith etal.

In certain circumstances, the compounds described herein can be employedas part of a pharmaceutical composition with other compounds intended toprevent or treat a particular disorder. In addition to effective amountsof the compounds described herein, the pharmaceutical compositions canalso include various other components as additives or adjuncts.Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable components or adjuncts which areemployed in relevant circumstances include antioxidants, free-radicalscavenging agents, peptides, growth factors, antibiotics, bacteriostaticagents, immunosuppressives, anticoagulants, buffering agents,anti-inflammatory agents, anti-pyretics, time-release binders,anaesthetics, steroids, vitamins, minerals and corticosteroids. Suchcomponents can provide additional therapeutic benefit, act to affect thetherapeutic action of the pharmaceutical composition, or act towardspreventing any potential side effects, which can be imposed as a resultof administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

The appropriate dose of the compound is that amount effective to preventoccurrence of the symptoms of the disorder or to treat some symptoms ofthe disorder from which the patient suffers. By “effective amount”,“therapeutic amount” or “effective dose” is meant that amount sufficientto elicit the desired pharmacological or therapeutic effects, thusresulting in effective prevention or treatment of the disorder.

When treating a CNS disorder, an effective amount of compound is anamount sufficient to pass across the blood-brain barrier of the subject,to bind to relevant receptor sites in the brain of the subject and toactivate relevant nicotinic receptor subtypes (e.g., provideneurotransmitter secretion, thus resulting in effective prevention ortreatment of the disorder). Prevention of the disorder is manifested bydelaying the onset of the symptoms of the disorder. Treatment of thedisorder is manifested by a decrease in the symptoms associated with thedisorder or an amelioration of the recurrence of the symptoms of thedisorder. Preferably, the effective amount is sufficient to obtain thedesired result, but insufficient to cause appreciable side effects.

The effective dose can vary, depending upon factors such as thecondition of the patient, the severity of the symptoms of the disorder,and the manner in which the pharmaceutical composition is administered.For human patients, the effective dose of typical compounds generallyrequires administering the compound in an amount sufficient to activaterelevant receptors to effect neurotransmitter (e.g., dopamine) release,but the amount should be insufficient to induce effects on skeletalmuscles and ganglia to any significant degree. The effective dose ofcompounds will of course differ from patient to patient, but in generalincludes amounts starting where CNS effects or other desired therapeuticeffects occur but below the amount where muscular effects are observed.

The compounds, when employed in effective amounts in accordance with themethod described herein, are selective to certain relevant nicotinicreceptors, but do not significantly activate receptors associated withundesirable side effects at concentrations at least greater than thoserequired for modulating the function of relevant receptors and/or therelease of neurotransmitters. By this is meant that a particular dose ofcompound effective in preventing and/or treating a CNS disorder isessentially ineffective in eliciting activation of certainganglionic-type nicotinic receptors at concentration higher than 5times, preferably higher than 100 times, and more preferably higher than1,000 times than those required for modulation of neurotransmitterrelease, for instance. This selectivity of certain compounds describedherein against those ganglionic-type receptors responsible forcardiovascular side effects is demonstrated by a lack of the ability ofthose compounds to activate nicotinic function of adrenal chromaffintissue at concentrations greater than those required for modulation ofCNS recector function.

The compounds described herein, when employed in effective amounts inaccordance with the methods described herein, can provide some degree ofprevention of the progression of CNS disorders, ameliorate symptoms ofCNS disorders, and ameliorate to some degree of the recurrence of CNSdisorders. The effective amounts of those compounds are typically belowthe threshold concentration required to elicit any appreciable sideeffects, for example those effects relating to skeletal muscle. Thecompounds can be administered in a therapeutic window in which certainCNS disorders are treated and certain side effects are avoided. Ideally,the effective dose of the compounds described herein is sufficient toprovide the desired effects upon the CNS but is insufficient (i.e., isnot at a high enough level) to provide undesirable side effects.Preferably, the compounds are administered at a dosage effective fortreating the CNS disorders but less than ⅕, and often less than 1/10,the amount required to elicit certain side effects to any significantdegree.

Most preferably, effective doses are at very low concentrations, wheremaximal effects are observed to occur, with a minimum of side effects.administering the compound in an amount of less than 5 mg/kg of patientweight. Often, the compounds of the present invention are administeredin an amount from less than about 1 mg/kg patent weight and usually lessthan about 100 μg/kg of patient weight, but frequently between about 10μg to less than 100 μg/kg of patient weight. For compounds that do notinduce effects on muscle-type nicotinic receptors at low concentrations,the effective dose is less than 5 mg/kg of patient weight; and oftensuch compounds are administered in an amount from 50 μg to less than 5mg/kg of patient weight. The foregoing effective doses typicallyrepresent that amount administered as a single dose, or as one or moredoses administered over a 24-hour period. In addition, administration ofthe effective dose is such that the concentration of the compound withinthe plasma of the patient normally does not exceed 500 ng/mL andfrequently does not exceed 100 ng/mL.

In one embodiment, upon administration, the active ingredients interactwith receptor sites, within the body of the subject, that controldopamine release. The ability of these compounds to modulate the releaseof dopamine is especially significant, as it indicates that thecompounds can be useful in interrupting the dopamine reward system (whenthe modulation is inhibition), and thus in treating disorders that aremediated by it. Such disorders include substance abuse, tobacco use andweight gain that accompanies drug cessation.

In this embodiment, the compounds described herein are a usefulalternative in treating dependencies on drugs of abuse includingalcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, caffeine,cannabinoids, cocaine, hallucinogens, opiates, phencyclidine and tobaccoand the treatment of eating disorders such as obesity that occursfollowing drug cessation while reducing side effects associated with theuse of psychomotor stimulants (agitation, sleeplessness, addiction,etc.).

The compounds also advantageously affect the functioning of the CNS, ina manner which is designed to optimize the effect upon those relevantreceptor subtypes that have an effect upon dopamine release, whileminimizing the effects upon muscle-type receptor subtypes.

Preferably, the compositions are administered such that activeingredients interact with regions where dopamine production is affectedor occurs. In some embodiments, the compounds are very potent ataffecting doamine production and/or secretion at very lowconcentrations, and are very efficacious (i.e., they modulate dopamineproduction and/or secretion to an effective degree).

In certain circumstances, the compounds described herein can be employedas part of a pharmaceutical composition with other compounds intended toprevent or treat drug addiction, nicotine addiction, and/or obesity. Inaddition to effective amounts of the compounds described herein, thepharmaceutical compositions can also include various other components asadditives or adjuncts. Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable componentsor adjuncts which are employed in relevant circumstances includeantidepressants, antioxidants, free-radical scavenging agents, peptides,growth factors, antibiotics, bacteriostatic agents, immunosuppressives,anticoagulants, buffering agents, anti-inflammatory agents,anti-pyretics, time-release binders, anaesthetics, steroids, vitamins,minerals and corticosteroids. Such components can provide additionaltherapeutic benefit, act to affect the therapeutic action of thepharmaceutical composition, or act towards preventing any potential sideeffects which can be imposed as a result of administration of thepharmaceutical composition.

IV. Methods of Using the Compounds and/or Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compounds can be used to treat those types of conditions anddisorders for which other types of nicotinic compounds have beenproposed as therapeutics. See, for example, Williams et al., Drug NewsPerspec. 7(4):205 (1994), Arneric et al., CNS Drug Rev. 1(1):1 (1995),Arneric et al., Exp. Opin. Invest Drugs 5(1):79 (1996), Bencherif etal., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 279:1413 (1996), Lippiello et al., J.Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 279:1422 (1996), Damaj et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp.Ther. 291:390 (1999); Chiari et al., Anesthesiology 91:1447 (1999);Lavand'homme and Eisenbach, Anesthesiology 91:1455 (1999); Neuroscience(1997), Holladay et al., J. Med. ChemChem. 40(28):4169 (1997), Bannon etal., Science 279:77 (1998), PCT WO 94/08992, PCT WO 96/31475, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,583,140 to Bencherif et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,919 to Dullet al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,231 to Smith et al., the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The compounds can also be used as adjunct therapy in combination withexisting therapies in the management of the aforementioned types ofdiseases and disorders. In such situations, it is preferably toadminister the active ingredients to in a manner that optimizes effectsupon abnormal cytokine production, while minimizing effects uponreceptor subtypes such as those that are associated with muscle andganglia. This can be accomplished by targeted drug delivery and/or byadjusting the dosage such that a desired effect is obtained withoutmeeting the threshold dosage required to achieve significant sideeffects.

Treatment of CNS Disorders

The compounds described herein are effective at treating a wide varietyof CNS disorders. Examples of CNS disorders that can be treated inaccordance with the present invention include pre-senile dementia (earlyonset Alzheimer's disease), senile dementia (dementia of the Alzheimer'stype), Lewy Body dementia, HIV-dementia, multiple cerebral infarcts,Parkinsonism including Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, Huntington'schorea, tardive dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, mania, attention deficitdisorder, anxiety, depression, mild cognitive impairment, dyslexia,schizophrenia and Tourette's syndrome.

CNS disorders can be treated and/or prevented by administering to apatient an amount of a compound or pharmaceutical composition effectivefor providing some degree of prevention of the progression of a CNSdisorder (i.e., provide protective effects), amelioration of thesymptoms of a CNS disorder, and amelioration of the recurrence of a CNSdisorder. The method involves administering an effective amount of acompound selected from the general formulae, which are set forthhereinbefore.

Other Disorders

In addition to treating CNS disorders, the pharmaceutical compositionscan be used to prevent or treat certain other conditions, diseases anddisorders. Examples include neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmunedisorders such as Lupus, disorders associated with cytokine release,anti-inflammatory uses, as well as those indications set forth in PCT WO98/25619. The pharmaceutical compositions can ameliorate many of thesymptoms associated with those conditions, diseases and disorders.

Modulation (such as inhibition) of cytokine release is desirable in thetreatment of cachexia, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, viralinfection, and neoplasia. The cachexia is often secondary to infection(e.g., as occurs in AIDS, AIDS-related complex and neoplasia) or tocancer therapy. Examples of inflammatory disorders that can be treatedinclude acute cholangitis, aphthous stomatitis, asthma, ulcerativecolitis, inflammatory bowel disease, pouchitis, viral pneumonitis andarthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis).

The pharmaceutical compositions can also be used as anti-infectiousagents (e.g, for treating bacterial, fungal and viral infections, aswell as the effects, such as sepsis, of other types of toxins).

The compounds can be used as analgesics, to treat convulsions such asthose that are symptomatic of epilepsy, to treat conditions such assyphillis and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease.

The compounds can also be appropriately synthesized and used as orwithin pharmaceutical compositions that are used as diagnostic probes.

The compounds useful according to the method of the present inventionhave the ability to bind to and modulate the function of nicotiniccholinergic receptors of the brain of the patient (e.g., such as thosereceptors that modulate dopamine release). The receptor bindingconstants of typical compounds useful in carrying out the presentinvention generally exceed about 0.1 nM, often exceed about 1 nM, andfrequently exceed about 10 nM. The receptor binding constants of suchtypical compounds generally are less than about 1 μM often are less thanabout 100 nM, and frequently are less than about 50 nM. Receptor bindingconstants provide a measure of the ability of the compound to bind tohalf of the relevant receptor sites of certain brain cells of thepatient. See, Cheng, et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 22:3099 (1973).

The compounds of the present invention, when employed in effectiveamounts in accordance with the method of the present invention, lack theability to elicit activation of nicotinic receptors of human muscle toany significant degree. In that regard, the compounds of the-presentinvention demonstrate poor ability to cause isotopic rubidium ion fluxthrough nicotinic receptors in cell preparations expressing muscle-typenicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Thus, such compounds exhibit receptoractivation constants or EC50 values (i.e., which provide a measure ofthe concentration of compound needed to activate half of the relevantreceptor sites of the skeletal muscle of a patient) which are extremelyhigh (i.e., greater than about 100 μM). Generally, typical preferredcompounds useful in carrying the present invention activate isotopicrubidium ion flux by less than 10 percent, often by less than 5 percent,of that maximally provided by S(−) nicotine.

The compounds, when employed in effective amounts in accordance with themethod of the present invention, are selective to certain relevantnicotinic receptors, but do not cause significant activation ofreceptors associated with undesirable side effects. By this is meantthat a particular dose of compound resulting in prevention and/ortreatment of a CNS disorder, is essentially ineffective in elicitingactivation of certain ganglionic-type nicotinic receptors. Thisselectivity of the compounds of the present invention against thosereceptors responsible for cardiovascular side effects is demonstrated bya lack of the ability of those compounds to activate nicotinic functionof adrenal chromaffin tissue. As such, such compounds have poor abilityto cause isotopic rubidium ion flux through nicotinic receptors in cellpreparations derived from the adrenal gland. Generally, typicalpreferred compounds useful in carrying out the present inventionactivate isotopic rubidium ion flux by less than 10 percent, often byless than 5 percent, of that maximally provided by S(−) nicotine.

The compounds, when employed in effective amounts in accordance with themethod of the present invention, are effective towards providing somedegree of prevention of the progression of CNS disorders, ameliorationof the symptoms of CNS disorders, and amelioration to some degree of therecurrence of CNS disorders. However, such effective amounts of thosecompounds are not sufficient to elicit any appreciable side effects, asis demonstrated by decreased effects on preparations believed to reflecteffects on the cardiovascular system, or effects to skeletal muscle. Assuch, administration of compounds of the present invention provides atherapeutic window in which treatment of certain CNS disorders isprovided, and side effects are avoided. That is, an effective dose of acompound of the present invention is sufficient to provide the desiredeffects upon the CNS, but is insufficient (i.e., is not at a high enoughlevel) to provide undesirable side effects. Preferably, effectiveadministration of a compound of the present invention resulting intreatment of CNS disorders occurs upon administration of less ⅓,frequently less than ⅕, and often less than 1/10, that amount sufficientto cause any side effects to a significant degree.

Treatment of Addiction

The compounds can be used to treat drug addiction, nicotine addictionand/or obesity, such as the obesity associated with drug cessation. Thecompounds can also be used as adjunct therapy in combination withexisting therapies in the management of the aforementioned types ofdiseases and disorders. In such situations, it is preferable toadminister the active ingredients to in a manner that optimizes effectsupon dopamine production and/or secretion, while minimizing effects uponreceptor subtypes such as those that are associated with muscle andganglia. This can be accomplished by targeted drug delivery and/or byadjusting the dosage such that a desired effect is obtained withoutmeeting the threshold dosage required to achieve significant sideeffects.

The compounds, when employed in effective amounts as described herein,are selective to certain relevant nicotinic receptors, but do notsignificantly activate receptors associated with undesirable sideeffects. By this is meant that a particular dose of compound that iseffective at suppressing dopamine production and/or release isessentially ineffective in eliciting activation of certainganglionic-type nicotinic receptors. This selectivity of the compoundsof the present invention against those receptors responsible forcardiovascular side effects is demonstrated by a lack of the ability ofthose compounds to activate nicotinic function of adrenal chromaffintissue.

Those compounds effective at suppressing of dopamine production and/orrelease can be used to treat drug addiction, nicotine addiction, and/orobesity at effective at concentrations that are not sufficient to elicitany appreciable side effects, as is demonstrated by decreased effects onpreparations believed to reflect effects on the cardiovascular system,or effects to skeletal muscle. As such, administration of the compoundsprovides a therapeutic window in which treatment of drug addiction,nicotine addiction and/or obesity is effected, and side effects areavoided. That is, an effective dose of a compound of the presentinvention is sufficient to provide the desired effects on dopamineproduction and/or secretion, but is insufficient (i.e., is not at a highenough level) to provide undesirable side effects. Preferably, thecompounds results in treatment of drug addiction, nicotine addictionand/or obesity upon administration of less ⅓, frequently less than ⅕,and often less than 1/10 that amount sufficient to cause any sideeffects to a significant degree.

V. Biological Assays

Radioligand Binding at CNS nAChR

α4β2 Subtype

Rats (female, Sprague-Dawley), weighing 150-250 g, are maintained on a12 h light/dark cycle and are allowed free access to water and foodsupplied by PMI Nutrition International, Inc. Animals are anesthetizedwith 70% CO₂, then decapitated. Brains are removed and placed on anice-cold platform. The cerebral cortex was removed and placed in 20volumes (weight:volume) of ice-cold preparative buffer (137 mM NaCl,10.7 mM KCl, 5.8 mM KH₂PO₄, 8 mM Na₂HPO₄, 20 mM HEPES (free acid), 5 mMiodoacetamide, 1.6 mM EDTA, pH 7.4); PMSF, dissolved in methanol to afinal concentration of 100 μM, was added and the suspension washomogenized by Polytron. The homogenate was centrifuged at 18,000×g for20 min at 4° C. and the resulting pellet was re-suspended in 20 volumesof ice-cold water. After 60 min incubation on ice, a new pellet wascollected by centrifugation at 18,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. The finalpellet was re-suspended in 10 volumes of buffer and stored at −20° C. Onthe day of the assay, tissue was thawed, centrifuged at 18,000×g for 20min, and then re-suspended in ice-cold PBS (Dulbecco's PhosphateBuffered Saline, 138 mM NaCl, 2.67 mM KCl, 1.47 mM KH₂PO₄, 8.1 mMNa₂HPO₄, 0.9 mM CaCl₂, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, Invitrogen/Gibco, pH 7.4) to afinal concentration of approximately 4 mg protein/ml Protein wasdetermined by the method of Lowry et al., J. Biol. Chem. 193: 265(1951), using bovine serum albumin as the standard.

The binding of [³H]nicotine was measured using a modification of themethods of Romano et al., Science 210: 647 (1980) and Marks et al., Mol.Pharmacol. 30: 427 (1986). The [³H]nicotine (Specific Activity=81.5Ci/mmol) was obtained from NEN Research Products. The binding of[³H]nicotine was measured using a 3 h incubation at 4° C. Incubationsare conducted in 48-well micro-titre plates and contained about 400 μgof protein per well in a final incubation volume of 300 μL. Theincubation buffer was PBS and the final concentration of [³H]nicotinewas 5 nM. The binding reaction was terminated by filtration of theprotein containing bound ligand onto glass fiber filters (GF/B, Brandel)using a Brandel Tissue Harvester at 4° C. Filters are soaked inde-ionized water containing 0.33% polyethyleneimine to reducenon-specific binding. Each filter was washed with ice-cold buffer (3×1ml). Non-specific binding was determined by inclusion of 10 μMnon-radioactive L-nicotine (Acros Organics) in selected wells.

The inhibition of [³H]nicotine binding by test compounds was determinedby including seven different concentrations of the test compound inselected wells. Each concentration was replicated in triplicate. IC₅₀values are estimated as the concentration of compound that inhibited 50percent of specific [³H]nicotine binding. Inhibition constants (Kivalues), reported in nM, are calculated from the IC₅₀ values using themethod of Cheng et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 22: 3099 (1973).

α7 Subtype

Rats (female, Sprague-Dawley), weighing 150-250 g, are maintained on a12 h light/dark cycle and are allowed free access to water and foodsupplied by PMI Nutrition International, Inc. Animals are anesthetizedwith 70% CO₂, then decapitated. Brains are removed and placed on anice-cold platform. The hippocampus was removed and placed in 10 volumes(weight:volume) of ice-cold preparative buffer (137 mM NaCl, 10.7 mMKCl, 5.8 mM KH₂PO₄, 8 mM Na₂HPO₄, 20 mM HEPES (free acid), 5 mMiodoacetamide, 1.6 mM EDTA, pH 7.4); PMSF, dissolved in methanol to afinal concentration of 100 μM, was added and the tissue suspension washomogenized by Polytron. The homogenate was centrifuged at 18,000×g for20 min at 4° C. and the resulting pellet was re-suspended in 10 volumesof ice-cold water. After 60 min incubation on ice, a new pellet wascollected by centrifugation at 18,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. The finalpellet was re-suspended in 10 volumes of buffer and stored at −20° C. Onthe day of the assay, tissue was thawed, centrifuged at 18,000×g for 20min, and then re-suspended in ice-cold PBS (Dulbecco's PhosphateBuffered Saline, 138 mM NaCl, 2.67 mM KCl, 1.47 mM KH₂PO₄, 8.1 mMNa₂HPO₄, 0.9 mM CaCl₂, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, Invitrogen/Gibco, pH 7.4) to afinal concentration of approximately 2 mg protein/ml. Protein wasdetermined by the method of Lowry et al., J. Biol. Chem. 193: 265(1951), using bovine serum albumin as the standard.

The binding of [³H]MLA was measured using a modification of the methodsof Davies et al., Neuropharmacol. 38: 679 (1999). [³H]MLA (SpecificActivity=25-35 Ci/mmol) was obtained from Tocris. The binding of [³H]MLAwas determined using a 2 h incubation at 21° C. Incubations areconducted in 48-well micro-titre plates and contained about 200 μg ofprotein per well in a final incubation volume of 300 μL. The incubationbuffer was PBS and the final concentration of [³H]MLA was 5 nM. Thebinding reaction was terminated by filtration of the protein containingbound ligand onto glass fiber filters (GF/B, Brandel) using a BrandelTissue Harvester at room temperature. Filters are soaked in de-ionizedwater containing 0.33% polyethyleneimine to reduce non-specific binding.Each filter was washed with PBS (3×1 ml) at room temperature.Non-specific binding was determined by inclusion of 50 μMnon-radioactive MLA in selected wells.

The inhibition of [³H]MLA binding by test compounds was determined byincluding seven different concentrations of the test compound inselected wells. Each concentration was replicated in triplicate. IC₅₀values are estimated as the concentration of compound that inhibited 50percent of specific [³H]MLA binding. Inhibition constants (Ki values),reported in nM, are calculated from the IC₅₀ values using the method ofCheng et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 22: 3099-3108 (1973).

Determination of Dopamine Release

Dopamine release is measured using striatal synaptosomes obtained fromrat brain, according to the procedures set forth by Rapier et al., J.Neurochem. 54: 937 (1990). Rats (female, Sprague-Dawley), weighing150-250 g, are maintained on a 12 h light/dark cycle and are allowedfree access to water and food supplied by PMI Nutrition International,Inc. Animals are anesthetized with 70% CO₂, then decapitated. The brainsare quickly removed and the striata dissected. Striatal tissue from eachof 2 rats is pooled and homogenized in ice-cold 0.32 M sucrose (5 ml)containing 5 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, using a glass/glass homogenizer. Thetissue is then centrifuged at 1,000×g for 10 min. The pellet isdiscarded and the supernatant is centrifuged at 12,000×g for 20 min. Theresulting pellet is re-suspended in perfusion buffer containingmonoamine oxidase inhibitors (128 mM NaCl, 1.2 mM KH₂PO₄, 2.4 mM KCl,3.2 mM CaCl₂, 1.2 mM MgSO₄, 25 mM HEPES, 1 mM ascorbic acid, 0.02 mMpargyline HCl and 10 mM glucose, pH 7.4) and centrifuged for 15 min at25,000×g. The final pellet is resuspended in perfusion buffer (1.4 ml)for immediate use.

The synaptosomal suspension is incubated for 10 min at 37° C. to restoremetabolic activity. [3H]Dopamine ([³H]DA, specific activity=28.0Ci/mmol, NEN Research Products) is added at a final concentration of 0.1μM and the suspension is incubated at 37° C. for another 10 min.Aliquots of tissue (50 μl) and perfusion buffer (100 μl) are loaded intothe suprafusion chambers of a Brandel Suprafusion System (series 2500,Gaithersburg, Md.). Perfusion buffer (room temperature) is pumped intothe chambers at a rate of 3 ml/min for a wash period of 8 min. Testcompound (10 μM) or nicotine (10 μM) is then applied in the perfusionstream for 40 sec. Fractions (12 sec each) are continuously collectedfrom each chamber throughout the experiment to capture basal release andagonist-induced peak release and to re-establish the baseline after theagonist application. The perfusate is collected directly intoscintillation vials, to which scintillation fluid is added. [³H]DAreleased is quantified by scintillation counting. For each chamber, theintegrated area of the peak is normalized to its baseline.

Release is expressed as a percentage of release obtained with an equalconcentration of L-nicotine. Within each assay, each test compound isreplicated using 2-3 chambers; and replicates are averaged. Whenappropriate, dose-response curves of test compound are determined. Themaximal activation for individual compounds (Emax) is determined as apercentage of the maximal activation induced by L-nicotine. The compoundconcentration resulting in half maximal activation (EC₅₀) of specificion flux is also defined.

Selectivity vs. Peripheral nAChRs

Interaction at the Human Muscle Subtype

Activation of muscle-type nAChR can be established on the human clonalline TE671/RD, which is derived from an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma(Stratton et al., Carcinogen 10: 899 (1989)). These cells expressreceptors that have pharmacological (Lukas, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.251: 175 (1989)), electrophysiological (Oswald et al., Neurosci. Lett.96: 207 (1989)), and molecular biological profiles (Luther et al., J.Neurosci. 9: 1082 (1989)) similar to the muscle-type nAChR.

TE671/RD cells can be maintained in proliferative growth phase accordingto routine protocols (Bencherif et al., Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 2: 52(1991) and Bencherif et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 257: 946 (1991)).Cells can be cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Gibco/BRL)with 10% horse serum (Gibco/BRL), 5% fetal bovine serum (HyClone, LoganUtah), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 4 mM L-Glutamine, and 50,000 unitspenicillin-streptomycin (Irvine Scientific). When cells are 80%confluent, they are plated to 6 well polystyrene plates (Costar).Experiments are typically conducted when the cells reached 100%confluency.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function can be assayed using⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux according to the method described by Lukas et al., Anal.Biochem. 175: 212 (1988). On the day of the experiment, growth media isgently removed from the well and growth media containing Rubidiumchloride (10⁶ μCi/ml) is added to each well. Cells are incubated at 37°C. for a minimum of 3 h. After the loading period, excess ⁸⁶Rb⁺ isremoved and the cells are washed twice with label-free Dulbecco'sphosphate buffered saline (138 mM NaCl, 2.67 mM KCl, 1.47 mM KH₂PO₄, 8.1mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.9 mM CaCl₂, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, Invitrogen/Gibco, pH. 7.4),taking care not to disturb the cells. Next, cells are exposed to either100 μM of test compound, 100 μM of L-nicotine (Acros Organics) or bufferalone for 4 min. Following the exposure period, the supernatantcontaining the released ⁸⁶Rb⁺ is removed and transferred toscintillation vials. Scintillation fluid is added and releasedradioactivity is measured by liquid scintillation counting.

Within each assay, each point had 2 replicates, which are averaged. Theamount of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ release is compared to both a positive control (100 μML-nicotine) and a negative control (buffer alone) to determine thepercent release relative to that of L-nicotine.

When appropriate, dose-response curves of test compound are determined.The maximal activation for individual compounds (Emax) is determined asa percentage of the maximal activation induced by L-nicotine. Thecompound concentration resulting in half maximal activation (EC₅₀) ofspecific ion flux is also determined.

Interaction at the Rat Ganglionic Subtype

Activation of rat ganglion nAChR is established on the pheochromocytomaclonal line PC12, which is a continuous clonal cell line of neural crestorigin, derived from a tumor of the rat adrenal medulla. These cellsexpress ganglion-like neuronal nicotinic receptors (see Whiting et al.,Nature 327: 515 (1987); Lukas, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 251: 175 (1989);Whiting et al., Mol. Brain Res. 10: 61 (1990)).

Rat PC12 cells are maintained in proliferative growth phase according toroutine protocols (Bencherifet al., Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 2: 52 (1991)and Bencherifet al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 257: 946 (1991)). Cellsare cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Gibco/BRL) with 10%horse serum (Gibco/BRL), 5% fetal bovine serum (HyClone, Logan Utah), 1mM sodium pyruvate, 4 mM L-Glutamine, and 50,000 unitspenicillin-streptomycin (Irvine Scientific). When cells are 80%confluent, they are plated to 6 well Nunc plates (Nunclon) and coatedwith 0.03% poly-L-lysine (Sigma, dissolved in 100 mM boric acid).Experiments are conducted when the cells reached 80% confluency.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function is assayed using ⁸⁶Rb⁺efflux according to a method described by Lukas et al., Anal. Biochem.175: 212 (1988). On the day of the experiment, growth media is gentlyremoved from the well and growth media containing ⁸⁶Rubidium chloride(10⁶ μCi/ml) is added to each well. Cells are incubated at 37° C. for aminimum of 3 h. After the loading period, excess ⁸⁶Rb⁺ is removed andthe cells are washed twice with label-free Dulbecco's phosphate bufferedsaline (138 mM NaCl, 2.67 mM KCl, 1.47 mM KH₂PO₄, 8.1 mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.9 mMCaCl₂, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, Invitrogen/Gibco, pH. 7.4), taking care not todisturb the cells. Next, cells are exposed to either 100 μM of testcompound, 100 μM of nicotine or buffer alone for 4 min. Following theexposure period, the supernatant containing the released ⁸⁶Rb⁺ isremoved and transferred to scintillation vials. Scintillation fluid isadded and released radioactivity is measured by liquid scintillationcounting.

Within each assay, each point had 2 replicates, which are averaged. Theamount of 86Rb⁺ release is compared to both a positive control (100 μMnicotine) and a negative control (buffer alone) to determine the percentrelease relative to that of L-nicotine.

When appropriate, dose-response curves of test compound are determined.The maximal activation for individual compounds (Emax) is determined asa percentage of the maximal activation induced by L-nicotine. Thecompound concentration resulting in half maximal activation (EC₅₀) ofspecific ion flux is also determined.

Interaction at the Human Ganglionic Subtype

The cell line SH-SY5Y is a continuous line derived by sequentialsubcloning of the parental cell line, SK-N-SH, which is originallyobtained from a human peripheral neuroblastoma. SH-SY5Y cells express aganglion-like nAChR (Lukas et al., Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 4: 1 (1993)).

Human SH-SY5Y cells are maintained in proliferative growth phaseaccording to routine protocols (Bencherif et al., Mol. Cell. Neurosci.2: 52 (1991) and Bencherif et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 257: 946(1991)). Cells are cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium(Gibco/BRL) with 10% horse serum (Gibco/BRL), 5% fetal bovine serum(HyClone, Logan Utah), 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 4 mM L-Glutamine, and50,000 units penicillin-streptomycin (Irvine Scientific). When cells are80% confluent, they are plated to 6 well polystyrene plates (Costar).Experiments are conducted when the cells reached 100% confluency.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function is assayed using ⁸⁶Rb⁺efflux according to a method described by Lukas et al., Anal. Biochem.175: 212 (1988). On the day of the experiment, growth media is gentlyremoved from the well and growth media containing ⁸⁶Rubidium chloride(10⁶ μCi/ml) is added to each well. Cells are incubated at 37° C. for aminimum of 3 h. After the loading period, excess ⁸⁶Rb⁺ is removed andthe cells are washed twice with label-free Dulbecco's phosphate bufferedsaline (138 mM NaCl, 2.67 mM KCl, 1.47 mM KH₂PO₄, 8.1 mM Na₂HPO₄, 0.9 mMCaCl₂, 0.5 mM MgCl₂, Invitrogen/Gibco, pH 7.4), taking care not todisturb the cells. Next, cells are exposed to either 100 μM of testcompound, 100 μM of nicotine, or buffer alone for 4 min. Following theexposure period, the supernatant containing the released ⁸⁶Rb⁺ isremoved and transferred to scintillation vials. Scintillation fluid isadded and released radioactivity is measured by liquid scintillationcounting.

Within each assay, each point had 2 replicates, which are averaged. Theamount of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ release is compared to both a positive control (100 μMnicotine) and a negative control (buffer alone) to determine the percentrelease relative to that of L-nicotine.

When appropriate, dose-response curves of test compound are determined.The maximal activation for individual compounds (Emax) is determined asa percentage of the maximal activation induced by L-nicotine. Thecompound concentration resulting in half maximal activation (EC₅₀) ofspecific ion flux is also defined.

Selectivity

The selectivity of the compounds for a given receptor can be evaluatedby comparing the binding of the compounds to different receptors usingknown methodology.

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES

The following synthetic examples are provided to illustrate the presentinvention and should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof. Inthese examples, all parts and percentages are by weight, unlessotherwise noted. Reaction yields are reported in mole percentages.Column chromatography is done using Merck silica gel 60 (70-230 mesh).Pressure reactions were done in a heavy wall glass pressure tube (185 mLcapacity), with Ace-Thread, and plunger valve available from Ace GlassInc. Reaction mixtures were typically heated using a high-temperaturesilicon oil bath, and temperatures refer to those of the oil bath. Thefollowing abbreviations are used in the following examples: CHCl₃ forchloroform, CH₂Cl₂ for dichloromethane, CH₃OH for methanol, DMF forN,N-dimethylformamide, and EtOAc for ethyl acetate, THF fortetrahydrofuran, and Et₃N for triethylamine. In these examples, allparts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise noted. Reactionyields are reported in mole percentage.

Example 1 Synthesis of 1-aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-enetrifluoroacetate

1-aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetate was preparedin accordance with the following techniques:

1-Azaspiro[4.5]decan-2,8-dione ethylene ketal was made as described inOrg. Lett. 3(15): 2353-2356 (2001).

1-Azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one ethylene ketal

A solution of 1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-2,8-dione ethylene ketal (5.00 g,23.7 mmol) in dry THF (100 mL) was added to lithium aluminum hydride(0.90 g, 23.7 mmol) under argon. The mixture was refluxed for 8 h andcooled to 0° C., whereupon aqueous sodium hydroxide (5 M), sufficient todecompose the remaining hydride and produce a granular precipitate ofaluminum salts, was added. The mixture was filtered, and the filtratewas concentrated by rotary evaporation, leaving 4.50 g (96%) of aviscous, colorless oil.

Ethyl 1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one-1-carboxylate

Ethyl chloroformate (1.90 mL, 2.16 g, 19.9 mmol) was added drop-wise toa cold (0° C.), stirred solution of 1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one ethyleneketal (3.00 g, 15.2 mmol), triethylamine (3.20 mL, 2.32 g, 23.0 mmol)and catalytic 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (10 mg) in dry dichloromethane(25 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The ice bath was removed and thereaction was stirred 4 h at ambient temperature and poured intosaturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (10 mL). The mixture was shaken andthe organic layer drawn off. The aqueous layer was extracted withdichloromethane (25 mL), and the combined dichloromethane extracts weredried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated by rotary evaporation. The residue (3.5g) was combined with 2% aqueous sulfuric acid (50 mL) and stirred 3 h atambient temperature. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (4×20mL), and the combined extracts were washed successively with saturatedaqueous sodium bicarbonate and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (10 mLeach) and dried (Na₂SO₄). The residue from concentration of the driedextracts was dissolved dichloromethane (100 mL) and stirred for 1 h withsilica gel (5 g). The silica gel was then removed by filtration, and thefiltrate was concentrated, leaving 2.35 g (68.7%) of viscous colorlessoil.

Ethyl 1-aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate

n-Butyllithium (2.30 mL of 2.5 M in hexane, 5.8 mmol) was addeddrop-wise to a solution of 3-bromopyridine (0.91 g, 5.77 mmol) in dryTHF (5 mL) at −78° C. under nitrogen. This mixture was stirred for 30min at −78° C. and cannulated into a solution of ethyl1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one-1-carboxylate (1.00 g, 4.44 mmol) in dry THF(20 mL), also at −78° C. under nitrogen. The mixture was allowed to warmto ambient temperature as it stirred overnight. It was then quenchedwith saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (5 mL) and extracted withdichloromethane (3×10 mL). The extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated by rotary evaporation, and the residue was columnchromatographed on silica gel, using 95:5 chloroform/methanol as theeluent. Concentration of selected fractions gave a viscous light brownoil which was dissolved in 98% formic acid (3 mL) and heated at 100° C.under nitrogen for 12 h. The formic acid was removed by repeatedazeoptropic evaporation with toluene, and the residue as treated withsaturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2 mL) and extracted withdichloromethane (3×5 mL). The extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated by rotary evaporation. The residue was columnchromatographed on silica gel, using 97:3 chloroform/methanol as eluent.Concentration of selected fractions gave 0.50 g of nearly colorless,viscous oil (˜40%).

1-Aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetate

Ethyl 1-aza-8-(3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate (0.300 g,1.05 mmol) was combined with 12 M HCl (5 mL), and the mixture wasrefluxed overnight under nitrogen. The volatiles were removed undervacuum, and the residue was combined with saturated aqueous sodiumbicarbonate (5 mL) and extracted with chloroform (3×25 mL). The combinedextracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The resulting viscousbrown liquid was purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography on C18silica, using a gradient of acetonitrile in water (0.1% trifluoroaceticacid), to give 120 mg (35%) of viscous, colorless oil.

Example 2 Synthesis of1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetate

1-Aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetatewas prepared in accordance with the following techniques:

5-Isopropoxy-3-pyridinylboronic acid

To a stirred, −78° C. solution of 2.5 M n-butyllithium (44.0 mL, 110mmol) in toluene (120 mL) was slowly added a solution of3-bromo-5-isopropoxypyridine (21.6 g, 100 mmol) in toluene (40 mL) whilemaintaining the temperature below −50° C. After the addition wascomplete, the reaction was stirred at −78° C. for 30 min. Distilled THF(40 mL) was added, and the reaction stirred for 15 min at −78° C.,followed by the addition of triisopropylborate (27.7 mL, 120 mmol) inone portion. After warming to −15° C., the reaction was quenched with 1MHCl (260 mL), and stirred for one hour. The mixture was then neutralized(to pH 7) with 5 M NaOH and extracted with THF (4×100 mL). The combinedextracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The residue wasdissolved in 1:1 THF/MeOH, filtered, concentrated, and dissolved in warmacetonitrile. Upon cooling, the acetonitrile solution deposited a lightbrown powder, which was collected by filtration and vacuum dried (8.94g, 49%).

Ethyl1-aza-8-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyloxy)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate

A solution of lithium diisopropylamide was produced by addingn-butyllithium (2.13 mL of 2.5 M in hexane, 5.33 mmol) to a mixture ofdiisopropylamine (0.74 mL, 0.54 g, 5.3 mmol) in dry THF (5 mL) at −78°C. under nitrogen. After stirring for 20 min, the lithiumdiisopropylamide solution was treated drop-wise with a solution of ethyl1-azaspiro[4.5]decan-8-one-1-carboxylate (1.00 g, 4.44 mmol) in dry THF(5 mL). The mixture was warmed briefly to −40° C., and returned to −78°C., whereupon 2-(N,N-bis(trifluormethylsulfonyl)amino)-5-chloropyridine(3.49 g, 8.89 mmol) was added in one portion. The mixture was warmedslowly to ambient temperature (3 h period), treated with saturatedaqueous sodium bicarbonate (10 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate(3×15 mL). The combined extracts were washed successively with 1 M HCl(5 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (15 mL) and saturatedaqueous sodium chloride (15 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated byrotary evaporation. The residue was column chromatographed on silicagel, using 3:7 ethyl acetate/hexane as eluent. Concentration of selectedfractions gave 1.10 g (76%) of viscous oil.

Ethyl1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate

Ethyl1-aza-8-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyloxy)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate(1.00 g, 2.80 mmol), 5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinylboronic acid (1.01 g, 5.60mmol), lithium chloride (0.35 g, 8.2 mmol), saturated aqueous sodiumcarbonate (10 mL) and dimethoxyethane (30 mL) were combined in a flask.The flask was alternatively evacuated and filled with argon three times.Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (325 mg, 0.28 mmol) was thenadded, and the mixture was heated at 100° C. for 3 h. The reactionmixture was cooled, diluted with water (10 mL) and extracted withdichloromethane (4×15 mL). The combined extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated by rotary evaporation. Column chromatographic purificationon silica gel, using 7:3 ethyl acetate/hexane as eluent, yielded 750 mg(81.6%) of viscous oil.

1-Aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetate

Ethyl1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-1-carboxylate (200mg, 0.610 mmol), potassium hydroxide (102 mg, 1.82 mmol), hydrazinehydrate (1 mL) were dissolved in ethylene glycol (5 mL) and heated at100° C. overnight. The mixture was cooled, diluted with water (5 mL) andextracted with chloroform (5×10 mL). The combined extracts were dried(Na₂SO₄) and concentrated by rotary evaporation. High-pressure liquidchromatographic purification of the residue on C18 silica gel, using agradient of acetonitrile in water (0.1% trifluoroacetic acid), gave 108mg (46%) of viscous, light brown oil.

Example 3 Synthesis ofN-methyl-1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-enetrifluoroacetate

N-Methyl-1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-enetrifluoroacetate was prepared in accordance with the followingtechniques:

N-Methyl-1-aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-enetrifluoroacetate

1-Aza-8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)spiro[4.5]dec-7-ene trifluoroacetate(30 mg, 0.077 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of 98% formic acid (1 mL)and 37% aqueous formaldehyde (0.2 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 3 h,cooled and neutralized with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate,saturated with sodium chloride and extracted with chloroform (5×5 mL).The chloroform extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated by rotaryevaporation. High-pressure liquid chromatographic purification of theresidue on C18 silica gel, using a gradient of acetonitrile in water(0.1% trifluoroacetic acid), gave 22 mg (71%) of viscous, light brownoil.

Having hereby disclosed the subject matter of the present invention, itshould be apparent that many modifications, substitutions, andvariations of the present invention are possible in light thereof. It isto be understood that the present invention can be practiced other thanas specifically described. Such modifications, substitutions andvariations are intended to be within the scope of the presentapplication.

1. A compound of Formula 1:

wherein: R is H or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; n is 0, 1, or 2; pis 0, 1, 2, or 3; q is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and j is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and thevalues of m, n, p and q are selected such that the depicted azaspiroring contains 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11 members; and when m is 1, n is not 0;and m and n combine such that the depicted aza-containing ring is 4-,5-, or 6-membered; each Z is, individually, selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substitutedcycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, substituted heterocyclyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, and substitutedarylalkyl; the dashed line represents an optional double bond; Cy ispyridinyl or substituted pyridinyl; wherein the term substituted refersto one or more of a group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, heterocyclyl,cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, halogen, —OR′, —NR′R″, —CF₃,—CN, —NO₂, —C═CR′, —SR′, —N₃, —C(═O)NR′R″, —NR′C(═O) R″, —C(═O)R″,C(═O)OR′, OC(═O)R′, —O(CR′R″)_(r)C(═O)R′, O(CR′R″)_(r)NR″C(═O)R′,—O(CR′R″)_(r)NR″SO₂R′, —OC(═O)NR′R″, —NR′C(═O)OR″, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, or—NR′SO₂R″; each R′ and R″ individually is hydrogen. C₁-C₈ alkyl,cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or arylalkyl and each r individually isan integer from 1 to 6; or R′ and R″ can combine to form a 3- to7-membered saturated or unsaturated ring; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof wherein any open valences are filled byhydrogen.
 2. The compound of claim 1, having one of the followingformulas:


3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 4. The compound of claim 1 selectedfrom the group consisting of: 1-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,1-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,2-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5 ]decane,8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,2-(5-pyrimidinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,6-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,7-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene,2-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising acompound of claim 4 and a pharmceutically acceptable carrier.
 6. Thecompound of claim 1 wherein R is H.
 7. The compound of claim 1 wherein jis
 0. 8. The compound of claim 1 wherein Cy is pyridinyl.
 9. Thecompound of claim 1 wherein n is 0 and m is
 3. 10. The compound of claim1 wherein p is 1 or 2 and q is 1 or
 2. 11. The compound of claim 1wherein n is 0; m is 3; p is 1; and q is
 2. 12. The compound of claim 1wherein R is H; j is 0; Cy is pyridinyl; n is 0; m is 3; p is 1; and qis
 2. 13. The compound of claim 12 wherein said pyridinyl is attached atthe 8-position of the azaspiro ring.
 14. The compound of claim 13wherein the dashed line indicates a double bond such that the azaspiroring is azaspirodec-7-ene.
 15. The compound of claim 1 wherein Cy ispyridinyl substituted with one or more of C₁₋₆ alkoxy, C₃₋₆ cycloalkoxy,aryloxy, aryloxy substituted with one or more halogen, halogen, cyano,or hydroxyl.
 16. The compound of claim 1 wherein the azaspiro ring issaturated.
 17. The compound of claim 1 selected from the groupconsisting of: 8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5decane,8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspirol[4.5]decane,8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-bromo-3-pynidinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5decane,2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-isopropoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-cyclopentyloxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-phenoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5dec-7-ene,8-(5-bromo-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5dec-7-ene,8-(5-cyano-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,8-(6-hydroxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5dec-7-ene,8-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof.
 18. The compound of claim 1 selected from thegroup consisting of: 1-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane,1-(3-pyridinyl)-4-azaspiro[2.4]heptane,2-(3-pyridinyl)-5-azaspiro[3.4]octane,6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]octane,7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]nonane,8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro4.5decane,2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]decane,6-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[3.4]oct-5-ene,7-(3-pyridinyl)-2-azaspiro[4.4]non-6-ene,7-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.4]non-7-ene,8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene,2-(3-pyridinyl)-7-azaspiro[4.5]dec-1-ene, and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof.
 19. A compound8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 20. A pharmaceutical composition comprising8-(3-pyridinyl)-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof and a pharmceutically acceptable carrier.